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Pinus Strobus LbNA #35876

Owner:Wisconsin Hiker
Plant date:Oct 7, 2007
Location:
City:Mount Morris
County:Ogle
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Found by: Atom 118
Last found:Aug 17, 2014
Status:aFFFFFFFFFaF
Last edited:Nov 9, 2015
Last found/checked: 7-OCT-07

Location: State Park named for Pinus Strobus.

Distance: 1.2 miles roundtrip

Terrain: Fairly easy trail, however there are stairs and some stream crossings via concrete circles.

When early settlers arrived in this area, they found a 700-acre forest of untouched pine extending for 1/4 mile along the east bank of Pine Creek. With a view to preserving Illinois’ last stand of natural white pines, a movement was started in the early part of the 20th Century to set the area aside as a state park. Efforts began with some Ogle County nature lovers in 1903 and the forest was finally acquired in 1927.

When you arrive at the park, take the main road (take a left at first intersection and a right at the next) all the way to the parking lot at the end. Along the way you will drive through Pine Creek twice! If the water is high, the road may be closed; however there are pedestrian bridges you can use to cross the creek on foot to get to the end of the road.

From the end of the parking lot you should see a picnic area and a wood & stone bridge to your left. Cross the bridge to start your journey. Next take a fairly short but steep climb up some rocky steps and continue along the way until you reach a scenic overlook. Enjoy the view and take a break if you wish.

Return to the main loop and continue on, counting orange posts along the way (don’t count the post at the overlook turnoff point). When you reach the second post, take a bearing of 300 degrees and take 30 steps in that direction. In the roots of its bending namesake, you should find the pinus strobus.

Please rehide carefully so this forest souvenir can be preserved for the enjoyment of future visitors!

To return to your vehicle, stay on the main loop. Stairs, cross, cross, cross, up, down, cross and you’re back!

Status reports on the stately Pinus Strobus would be greatly appreciated, since I live a long way from the area and won’t be able to check on it myself. Thanks!


Hike length: 1-2 miles